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For the month of July, there's a coupon on Smashwords for a *free* copy of the ebook in whatever reader format you like for the first volume of the series. Special deal for Animesuki readers. Coupon is usable on July 1, 2014 - July 30, 2014.

Formats include nearly every format available (mobi, epub, pdf, rtf, online reader). Read the series in the polished form sold at retailers. Write me a review on Amazon, Goodreads, Smashwords, wherever. Good or bad.

Once Volume 3 is on the shelves, I'll be having some contests to give away the 3 book series in paperback to a few people. More info on the event after I finish draining the swamp and stomping alligators. Likely 1st week of August.

caption: Glycerin blinks under the photo flashes of paparazzi

Glycerin is bashful during the Tokyo photo shoot in volume 3 or IRIRS.

For the month of July, there's a coupon on Smashwords for a *free* copy of the ebook in whatever reader format you like for the first volume of the series. Special deal for Animesuki readers. Coupon is usable on July 1, 2014 - July 30, 2014.

Formats include nearly every format available (mobi, epub, pdf, rtf, online reader). Read the series in the polished form sold at retailers. Write me a review on Amazon, Goodreads, Smashwords, wherever. Good or bad.

I've seen a small pack of books sold AKA given away via Animesuki coupon. Thanks and I'd certainly appreciate any reviews given on Amazon, Goodreads, Smashwords, or even your own blog.

Volume 3 "Go Go Godzilla" (the Japan tour and aftermath) is submitted to the pub. for final approval. I might actually have a set of prototypes by the end of next week - hope.

I'm going to make several posters using the Glycerin and Tsika photo shoots. A couple of fan club posters and a few "rock tour" posters such as the band might actually produce. Those will be be given away in contests and likely be available for purchase otherwise. A fan club poster might look something like this:

I now have the first three volumes of the Rocket Science series available in paperback at Amazon. The first two are Kindle-ized and working on the third. Other formats will come in August (Nook, Kobo, etc).
I won't *give* books 2 and 3 away to AS members but I will put out Smashword coupons of "enormous discount". Those two volumes are about 1.5x times the length of the first volume.

For the month of July, there's a coupon on Smashwords for a *FREE* copy of the ebook in whatever reader format you like for the FIRST VOLUME of the series. Special deal for Animesuki readers. Coupon is usable on July 1, 2014 - July 30, 2014.

Formats include nearly every format available (mobi, epub, pdf, rtf, online reader). Read the series in the polished form sold at retailers. Write me a review on Amazon, Goodreads, Smashwords, wherever. Good or bad.

Just finished being part of an author/book/publisher festival in Portland, Oregon on the very square where Blar first sees Tsika in Volume One.
I was fine with the results. I made more money than I spent (aka I sold books and each sale was someone buying all 3 books). I had several ebook folks take my cards for buying Kindle versions.
Lessons learned -
1) really need to run my own tent. My tent host (a children's book author) was very nice and we had a good time chatting but walking around informed me that having one's own stall helps focus the message.
2) I need ebook QR code cards for ebook sales. They could double as bookmarks.
3) Tune my pitch - the dark comedy with romance seems to be a winning angle.
4) Provide information boards with the pitch and genre in writing.

It was amusing to watch people react to the images. With very few exceptions, the guys stopped dead in their tracks, mesmerized by Mamiko and Elisanth modeling as Tsika and Glycerin on the book covers and the big poster. It was also amusing that the women they were with dragged them away. This is sad because the story I find appeals to women at least as much as men. Need to work on my sign verbage about genre.

The band has a FaceBook page (run by Kpau): https://www.facebook.com/itreallyisrocketscience
however, given FB's Mafia style crush of NOT delivering posts to followers unless I pay money - I plan to implement the band their own website over the next couple of months. Doing the page is fun - it's like a collection of micro-stories with each band member posting about something or linking to something that gets their attention, like Kpau getting excited over the Portland Naked Bike Tour (yes, people drive around town on a route .. naked).

My part of a booth:

Me:
(photo by Daniel Larsen)

For the month of July, there's a coupon on Smashwords for a *FREE* copy of the ebook in whatever reader format you like for the FIRST VOLUME of the series. Special deal for Animesuki readers. Coupon is usable on July 1, 2014 - July 30, 2014.

Formats include nearly every format available (mobi, epub, pdf, rtf, online reader). Read the series in the polished form sold at retailers. Write me a review on Amazon, Goodreads, Smashwords, wherever. Good or bad.

Just a heads up. For August, I'll put out Smashwords discount coupons for volume 2 and 3. I won't *give* it away but it'll be a Very Large Discount for Animesuki readers.

I'm kind of impressed with the number of people who have taken me up on the coupon for the first book. I'll ask that everyone please write reviews over on Amazon, Goodreads, Smashwords, or wherever you might like to put a review for a book.

For the month of July, there's a coupon on Smashwords for a *FREE* copy of the ebook in whatever reader format you like for the FIRST VOLUME of the series. Special deal for Animesuki readers. Coupon is usable on July 1, 2014 - July 30, 2014.

This is the last day of my 100% coupon for the first volume of the book series.
Visit Smashwords for a *FREE* copy of the ebook in whatever reader format you like for the FIRST VOLUME of the series. Special deal for Animesuki readers. Coupon is usable on July 1, 2014 - July 30, 2014.

Your coupon code is NY48A (not case-sensitive) to get the 100% discount.

I'm working on the Smashwords ebooks for volume 2 and 3. As I said yesterday, I'll deeply discount them for Animesuki readers when they're released. What I'm interested in getting from you guys are reviews on the various sites like Amazon, Goodreads, and such. Even just a single sentence - honest review, what you liked or didn't like.

Frankly, it's the buzz level that gets me more exposure to more eyeballs. Same goes for social channels. Connect and share. I'm on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Wordpress,Blogspot, even Diaspora and VK. Search for "BHBranham" and that will usually do it.

Okay, I'm relatively impressed. Thirty people took me up on my Animesuki 100% off coupon. I'm working on the ebook releases of Volume 2 and 3 this week. When those appear on Smashwords, I'll have heavy discount coupons as well for AS members. I'd appreciate any reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, B&N, Kobo,etc.

Haven't posted a video in a while. Here's the band somewhere inside the upcoming Volume 4. Oh, if you have a Facebook account, I'm having a 3 book giveaway contest on my author page ( https://www.facebook.com/bhbranham ). To enter, simply like the post and SHARE the post on your page. I swear that is pretty basic to all FB contests and it seems to just be far too complicated for about a 1/3 of the audience. Hell, there's a European contest for a book running and they want the entrants to write an ENTIRE PARAGRAPH to enter about where they would read the book. And ... they're getting entries. At this point, I'm thinking about shifting my market focus to Europe where they still read books.
My sales are actually doing pretty well -- it is simply the case that I have to get them to open the book. I am thinking about making the first volume ebook perma-free since I have the other two on the shelf now.
Enough blathering - watch the video and see if you can spot what is different about the characters.

As I've said, I've been restructuring my old outline for volume 4 to synchronize it with the way events actually transpired in volume 1-3.
Also been scribbling down snippets of meat to fill the lattice with. The first few chapters are in Hawaii. So yeah ... Hawaii. Some pics to follow later once I clip and snip.
Tee and Gee at the beach -- photo by Gee.

So, of course while I'm trying to get the Kindle edition of volume 3 out, and start volume 4, and work on preproduction of a photo shoot with Mamiko ... I get these idea bubbles for short stories shorting my brain out.

Stupid brain.

I stayed up all night last night and wrote the first one in one go of it. It's a story about Kpau, in the years between her being orphaned and her leaving for California.

Still touching it up. I'll release it here ... eventually I think I'll collect the short stories and make them part of a volume, rather like you see in Japanese light novel series. Not really Omake but stuff that didn't fit into the main story.

Some random pics from FB for those who don't use it. Mamiko is teaching me Polish while I help her with English. I'm a much worse student than she is. Visit her Tumblr at http://mamikoyoko.tumblr.com/
Mamiko for a clothing photoshoot.
Testing circle amber contacts, for Tsika

Story spoilered (because I'm tired of trying to use the right tag and having it throw up on a diacritical mark).

Spoiler for Short Story: Duck! Rabbit! Duck! - A Love Story:

Rick and Jamie sat in the conference room of the rehab facility reviewing their paperwork for the fourth time. It was their first time to be foster parents. Both were nervous about the impending experience. Everything looked in order but Rick kept rereading the page describing the child to be put under their care for an indeterminate period.

He looked up at his wife. “I know I keep saying this, but you would think they wouldn’t start us out with something this serious.”

“It’s a she, not a something, darling. Maybe the other children are worse off. I understand what you’re feeling though. Just reading that section makes me cry. I can’t imagine the trauma she has to deal with.”

The door opened and Dr. Barrens walked in, taking a seat in front of them. He had been working with the couple for several months to prepare for their first ward.

“She’s almost ready. Still time to run away.”

“The little girl knows we’re here. I can only imagine that would be bad.”

“She’s resigned to the possibility. You’re the third set of parents we’ve tried since the last ones brought her back. Most balk at the description of her history.”

Rick flinched. “Ouch. That alone makes me want to stay.”

The monochromatic computer screen in front of the doctor flickered. “She’s on her way. Remember, you don’t have to FIX her, just take care of her until we figure out what to do with her.”

The door opened. A woman who Rick assumed was an aide worker led a young girl into the room. The waif quietly took a seat by the doctor. Rick’s first impression was of a slim darkly tanned girl with brilliant white hair. It looked artificial, like a Polynesian girl with dyed hair.

The image was marred by burn scars, including a patch over one ear where the hair had grown back but mottling could still be seen. Her brown eyes were vacant. She clutched a small stuffed dragon and a small daypack. Rick was hypnotized by this real living person he and Jamie were going to have to keep safe.

Rick and Jamie had been informed that her burns would fade, that the surgeries had been quite successful. That was physical. Her emotional condition was another matter. Here was a little girl who had watched her parents and younger sister die violently in an automobile accident. She was alone. There was a grandfather but he was in Southern California and had a criminal record. He was trying to get custody of her but that might take years. In the meantime, she needed care and place to live.

Dr. Barrens spoke quietly. “Kpau? This is Rick and Jamie Bloom. They want to be your –“

“Don’t call them my parents.”

Rick woke up from his trance. “We’re not going to try to be, Kpau. We just want to help you go to school, eat, have a safe place to sleep.”

Kpau stared at him without blinking. “Nowhere is safe. It’s an illusion.”

Rick marveled at the assertion. “You’re right. Most people pretend they’re safe. But that doesn’t mean you don’t try or take precautions.”

The little girl’s shiny eyebrows crinkled. Rick felt like he was being deep scanned. “Thanks.”

“For what?” Rick smirked.

“For not spewing bullshit, mister.”

Jamie’s eyebrows rose. She drew a sharp breath. Kpau noticed. “Sorry, Mrs. Bloom. My parents cursed a lot when they fought. I’m still practicing to do it less.”

Dr. Barrens coughed. “So, Kpau. Are you okay with trying this out? It’s been a bit difficult as you know.”

The young girl nodded. “They stayed. I don’t get any bad vibes. I’m tired of being here.”

Rick wasn’t missing the monotone in her voice. She was still in a form of shock, emotionally shut down. Probably In self-defense -- like some sort of Star Trek shields. He glanced at his wife, then at the doctor. “Can Jamie and I talk alone a moment? Are there other things Kpau has to get?”

Kpau shrugged. Empty eyes. “I understand. This is all I have left. My other stuff is gone. I’ll wait outside.”

The young girl got up with her things and left. Dr. Barrens sighed.
“She thinks you’re going to leave.”

Jamie and Rick both grimaced. Jamie answered. “Rick didn’t mean to give that impression. I think we are just overwhelmed in her presence. That’s a lot of pain in a little person. Of course we’ll have her.”

* * *

Rick pulled the SUV into the driveway. Kpau was quiet but she was scanning her surroundings intensely.

“Wow. You have a front yard. Is there a backyard?”

“Yup. With a fence. And a nice bit of woods behind that. We take walks there a lot.”

Kpau unbuckled her seatbelt. “We didn’t have a yard. But there was a park down the street. I use to take Babble … my sis--.”

Rick and Jamie both jerked around to look. Kpau was furiously killing tears, her breathing had a rattle. She noticed them. Her face shifted back to that blank look.

“Sorry. I’m okay. I need to use the bathroom, please.” Shields up.

* * *

“Oh, Rick. She’s not okay. So much pain! I just want to hug her and make her monsters go away!”

“She refuses therapy. Barrens said she just stares at them. Won’t talk about the accident or anything. Barrens whispered to me that hearing that her parents fought was new information to him.”

Approaching soft footsteps silenced them.

“Thanks, mister.” Kpau managed to be looking towards them without actually making eye contact.

Rick took a breath and leaned against the counter. “Okay, little bug. Let’s get past formalities. I don’t want to be called ‘mister’ in my own house. You can call me Rick if you like.”

Kpau was solemn but one eyebrow arched. “Names are important. Even nicknames. I don’t have any aunts or uncles. Can I call you Uncle Rick and Aunt Jamie?”

Jamie brightened up considerably. “I’d love that! We don’t have any nieces! Rick? Why don’t you show Kpau her room and the rest of the house while I fix us dinner?”

“Will you be okay, Jamie?”

“Yes, darling. I’m fine! You two take the tour.”

* * *

Rick heard the quiet footsteps behind him. Kpau was standing closer to him now, evidently feeling better about being housed with strangers. “Laundry room by the garage under the stairs. Up here we have two bedrooms with baths. And this game room.”

Kpau’s face lit up slightly. Shields softening maybe?

“Do you have games?”

“As you can see, we have a Ping-Pong table and darts. But I sense you mean these. We have a Nintendo and one of the new Playstation consoles.”

Her eyes swept his gaming rig sets. “Cool. Do you play?”

“Both Jamie and I do. She’s not much on computer games but she likes the cooperative console games.”

Kpau’s eyes lit up. More shields down. “You have a computer?”

“Actually, we each have a computer. And we got one for you. Jamie writes and I do some of my programming work at home.” Rick grinned. “Come see yours!”

Rick didn’t have to coax her, she almost beat him there. But then she stopped at the door. Shields were back up. Blank face. Rick pressed on.

“Your room, Kpau.”

Kpau surveyed the room. It was very pink. Rick grimaced a little. When Jamie found out a girl was coming she had decorated. She focused on the computer on the desk but then smirked as she took in the entire view.

“It’s very pink. I like pink. Maybe not so much girly though. I’ll have to think. It’s not home.”

Rick decided she was mature enough for reflection. “You’re right. The only true place you can call home is the body you’re standing in. Connections with people you love or trust.”

Kpau stared at nothing momentarily. “Mist-- … Unca Rick? Do you believe in a god?”

Rick began to spurt his usual noncommittal answer then realized she had said “a god”. Don’t lie with this little girl. Be straight with her.

“Um, no. Not really. My view is that the science doesn’t seem to require one.”

Kpau wasn’t smiling but clearly some load vanished from her shoulders.

“Good. The first ones after the accident tried to FIX me with theirs. They told me I was going to hell where my family went.”

“Wow, that’s a load of shi—err, really bad!”

Kpau’s eyes sparkled. Just a little. “Yeah. It didn’t upset me like they thought it would. But I was done with them. I ran away. Dr. Barrens didn’t make me go back after I told him what they said.”

“You seem very mature for a twelve year old. Here’s my pitch. I’ll treat you as grownup as you act. Sound good? It may drive Jamie crazy. She wants a child girl, little bug.”

“That would be a nice change from most grownups. But I am still a kid. I guess.” She stood silent momentarily. “I like you calling me Little Bug.”

Jamie’s voice drifted up from downstairs that dinner was ready. They both turned to go.

“Hey, mister, err, Unca Rick?” Rick turned to look down into a pair of earnest brown eyes. “Is Jamie all right? You seemed funny about leaving her alone to work on dinner.”

Wow, she is a sharp little bug.

“Jamie has been wonky lately. No big deal, just something to keep an eye on.”

Kpau seemed to shrink. “Oh.”

Shields back up. Damn. This is complicated.

* * *

The rain blasted the roof of the house. Texas thunderstorm. Jamie glared at the racing wall clock. They were going to be late getting Kpau to school. She guessed that was a really bad idea for the first week.

“Come on, Kpau! Now!” Jamie tried to avoid stressing out but she was frazzled. She could feel her head pounding and her chest tightening up.

“Snot! I am going as fast as I can! I couldn’t find the right shoes!” Kpau had on sandals.

Jamie lost her temper. “Oh my god! Kpau, you can’t wear those in this weather! Put on your hikers!”

“Don’t want to! I’m fine with this! Let’s go!” Kpau glared defiantly.

“What is WRONG with you this morning?! You’re going to get sick! You’re—.“

Jamie broke into a coughing spasm. Kpau swung wildly at the air in anger, accidently nicking a canister of flour. It flew, shattering on the floor. The young girl stared at it, a cauldron of unfocused fury.

Jamie struggled with her anger and slumped into a bar stool. “Little darling, I am TRYING to work with you! I know it is tough! I want you to like me! I want—“

“I AM AFRAID TO LIKE YOU! EVERYONE I LIKE DIES!” A terrible wheeze ripped out of Kpau’s throat, followed by horrible asthmatic sounds and horrid sobs. Jamie hurled herself out of the chair and caught the little girl as she stumbled. Both went down.

They sat on the floor, Jamie hugging Kpau while scrabbling in the girl’s purse for an inhaler. Jamie was still having trouble with her own coughing but got the inhaler to Kpau and fired two shots of mist in her mouth. As Kpau settled, the young girl grabbed the inhaler from Jamie. She held the woman’s face and popped a shot of mist into Jamie’s mouth. They sat hugging as each calmed down.

“Those aren’t for me, little darling, but thank you.”

“I get through my attacks without it. Don’t like using them. You sound like you need it more.”

“I just have some lung problems. The doctor is treating it, child.”

Kpau sat, her lungs still rattling softly. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry, Aunt Jamie. I just feel crazy today. I don’t know why! But … but! I really AM afraid to like anyone. It’s like I might be a bad hex on them.”

“Oh god, Kpau! Are you hurt?!”

“NO, I’M JUST FINE! What THE F--! Oh hell, what is that?! Am I cut?!”

“I think … I think you’re having your first period, little darling.” She hugged the wide-eyed girl. “Hey. Let’s just stay home today. I guess no one really covered this with you. Little girl is starting to grow up.”

* * *

“You like autumn, Kpau?” Rick watched Kpau tearing through the piles of leaves in the woods behind their house.

“Yup! I like ALL the seasons! I like seeing each one come every year! Unca Rick? Leaf fight!” A cloud of leaves enveloped Rick. He smiled. Some of her shields were down for him.

“You Little Bug! I’m after you!” Kpau shrieked and scampered, weaving in and out of the trees with Rick in hot pursuit. As Ricked closed in for the capture, he heard an ominous crack above their heads. Kpau’s eyes jerked up. In a flash she jerked right and rolled. Rick instinctively jerked left and was buried in branches, leaves, and a few limbs big enough to hurt.

Rick sat up. It was quiet. “Kpau?! Oh god, Kpau are you--?”

“I’m okay, Unca Rick! But … not by much. Ducked it.” She was sitting next to a rather large limb that would have broken her if she had moved even slightly differently. Rick knew she had quick reflexes but that dodge and tumble had been impressive. Kpau had a goofy look as she gazed at him.

“Unca Rick?! It must be Duck Season.”

“No. It’s Rabbit Season.”

Kpau blinked. Then she winked at him with both eyes and blurted, “It’s Duck season!”

Kpau stopped laughing. Back to the solemn face. “I used to watch them with my family.”

Rick grimaced but pressed on. “Will it upset you to watch them?”

“No. But … I might cry. Just warning you.”

* * *

It was the week before Christmas. Kpau leaped from one branch to the next. The branches were wet but she had gotten adept at tree climbing. Texas winter was being its usual self. Not cold enough for a coat but kind of drippy, dreary, and dark. Rick was at his workplace, Jamie was in her home office writing. Kpau had been reading in her room but decided she just needed to move around. She sat on a branch and gazed at the house she slept in. A squirrel warily eyed her from another branch.

“Welcome to Sherwood Forest, Friar Squirrel! Bleh, that doesn’t work. You live here.”

The platinum blonde glanced back at the house. “They’re trying really hard, Mr. Squirrel. I just can’t take the chance. If I were older, I might even be flirting with Unca Rick. He’s such a cool guy. Jamie needs him though. Don’t know what kind of sick she’s got but they’re even tighter-lipped than me about it. Hey! I’m talking to you, villain! Don’t wander off!”

Kpau moved towards the next branch towards the scampering creature. She suddenly found herself in free fall. She balled up and rolled as she hit the ground.

Blood was blossoming around her knee, soaking through the now torn jeans she wore. She spotted a broken whiskey bottle. “God damned litter bugs! Shit! This is bad. First aid. Like Unca Rick taught me.”

She undid her scarf and fashioned a tourniquet. Nausea rose in her gut. Blood. Lots of blood.

“OH MY GOD! KPAU!” Jamie rushed out of her office towards the young woman. “What happened?! Oh, lordy! You’re bleeding! Crap you are a mess! Come get in the guest shower! I can’t even see how you’re hurt! No, don’t stand on it! Lean on me!”

* * *

Two hours later, Kpau sat in the recovery room, staring at her new stitches on her knee. Jamie sat next to her as they waited to be released. She held Kpau’s hand.

“Aunt Jamie?”

“Yes, little darling.”

“I’m sorry about the way I am. You try really hard. But my shields keep me safe. I’m just afraid to like anyone. They all die. Every single one.”

Jamie’s heart hurt for Kpau.

“I heard you call for your mommy, little darling. Tore me up inside.”
Kpau made eye contact. It felt good to Jamie.

“I’m glad you came for me, Aunt Jamie. Made me realize. Maybe one day I will feel safe enough build a family of some kind. It might not be regular normal. I’ll have to think about it.”

“That would be a lovely way to cope with what life threw at you, little darling.”

“I’ve screwed up a little, though. I messed up. Kind of like you both.”

“We’ll yell at you more. Will that help?”

Kpau chuckled then turned serious. “I see why Rick married you. I should tell you. I kind of have a crush on Rick. If I were older, I wouldn’t mind marrying him. Be good to him, okay?”

“You have good taste in men, darling. I will do my best.”

* * *

“Hey! What’s this, Unca Rick?”

Kpau and Rick were sorting through the game room closet. Kpau held up a box marked “Bloom County”.

“Oh! I had forgotten I had those. It was a comic strip I grew up with in the ‘80s. Very funny. Lots of political humor. They’re even signed by the author.”

Kpau had it open already. “Oh! I recognize the penguin and the cat! There was a funny tv Christmas special they were in. I thought I was going to wet myself it was so funny! Can I read these?”

“Got it. Got it. I’ll be careful! Wait. Are you going to bedtime story me? I’m thirteen years old!”

“I won’t tell your school buddies.”

“Sounds a bit lecherous to me …” Kpau stopped abruptly at Rick’s expression. “Whoa! That was a joke! Not serious! I feel nothing but safe with you!”

“Do me a favor and don’t joke like that around Jamie or around our case worker. Jamie would just get a little insecure but the case worker would snatch you out of here so fast we’d have to mail you your stuff.”

Kpau was coughing and tearing up in laughter as she lay in bed. Rick lay curled up next to her. He was reading the comic strips out loud. Rick looked baffled.

“Wait?! How do you even GET that one? It’s late ‘70s political humor! Over thirty years ago!”

“Oh! I read your entire encyclopedia set when I first moved in. All about Nixon, Vietnam, Watergate, Soviets, Cold War! They don’t teach anything like that in school. Actually, I’m bored to tears in school most of the time.”

“Ah, yeah. Jamie reports that she and the principal have regular talks. You’re never in deep trouble, just bobbling on the edges. Right. Time for bed, Little Bug.”

“Night, Unca Rick.” Kpau stared up at her ceiling. “Thanks.”

“Eh? For what?”

“Just … thanks.”

* * *

Kpau dropped her books and bag in the hallway after school. She scrambled for the kitchen and leaped at the refrigerator.

The note said Jamie had to make a trip to the doctor, no worries, pizza in the fridge.

“Righteous. Sounds like she’s okay. Her writing isn’t weak looking like it is sometimes.”

Kpau headed up to her room and sat at her computer.

“What to do? Hmmm, nah. Maybe? Meh, boring.”

Her mind flipped through a dozen projects and hobbies in a flash. Nothing grabbed her. It was quiet. She turned on her desk radio. Loud.

“I could read?” Her mind drifted to Opus and Bill. Bloom County.

“Not supposed to touch those. Eh, I’ll be careful.”

A few minutes later she was sitting in front of the closet in the game room deeply engrossed and laughing as she read each strip in the book. She heard the phone ring downstairs and jumped up with the intention of answering it.

There was a ripping sound.

Kpau stared white-faced at the half-page of comic she held in her hand.
“Oh my god! No! I didn’t pull that hard! Freaking old paper! Oh god, he’s going to kill me! Worse, he’s going to cry! Augh!”

She frantically put the rest of the books up and closed the closet, holding the damaged book and the shred of paper in her hands. Total panic.

A few minutes later, she was in the woods curled up next to a large oak.
“What do I do? Oh god, what do I do? I like these people! I don’t want to go back!” Tears ran down her cheeks as she gazed at the damaged book. “I don’t know … what to do. I don’t –“

“Little Bug! Are you okay?! God! I got home and was frantic! You were gone, the patio door was open! I was going to call the police!”

She was swooped up by a pair of arms into a big hug. Nice hands stroking the back of her head, patting her back. Being rocked. Kissed on the forehead.

“It’s okay, Little Bug. It’s just a piece of paper. You’re more important than anything.”

“But … but … it’s your special book!” Her face was getting sticky from tears and snot.

“Come back with me. We’ll fix it. It won’t be pristine but it’ll be just fine.”

A half hour later they sat looking at the results. Rick had shown her how to use a special paper glue for restoration. They had carefully re-assembled the page and set up it with a support rig so the page could dry without touching the other pages.

“It won’t be perfect.”

“It’ll be a memory of you.”

Kpau broke into sobs and hugged him. She settled back down quickly and stared at their work. “I liked building the rig. It was kind of like writing and fixing software but touchable.”

“You like building things I think. Maybe we could do some projects together. Some fun stuff. Help me with stuff around the house. The sink needs a new faucet.”

“Yeah! I’d like that. I admit it. School bores the crap out of me. I get all my homework done before I get home. Fixing stuff with you sounds more fun.”

* * *

“Okay, Boss Rick! Can I turn the faucet now?” Kpau had her hand on the faucet.

Rick was on the other end of the long set of trenches tightening the last of the new sprinkler heads they were installing. He looked up. For a split of an instant he saw a gorgeous young woman with brilliant white blonde hair and a magnificent tan, sexy in her knotted up shirt, bare waist, and tight jean shorts.

Then his brain adjusted the image back to the young girl he called Little Bug. So much change in such a short time. Less than two years.

“Wait! Wait! Not quite--!” She drenched him. He could hear her giggling as he wiped his face.

“Sorry, Unca Rick! I couldn’t resist! I just—!” Rick’s turn. He had the hose that ran from the other side of the house and he sprayed her. Very satisfying girlish shrieks. Then he regretted his horseplay. Kpau’s shirt was now transparent now as she laughed and ran up for a hug. A tight hug.

“Uhhhh, Little Bug? Probably ought to go change shirts!”

“What? Oh, Holy Frito-Lay! You ARE a naughty … oh, no, won’t do that joke.” She winked. “Right, Unca Rick!” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Covering myself to protect your eyes. Be right back!” A string of delightful giggles were left in her wake. Growing up so fast.

* * *

“I think I like it with you two. I wish I could stay.”

“My heart aches, Little Bug. But my company says I have to go to Florida and I have no other place to work here. The economy is busted. I can’t take you. Damn state won’t let me. If I stay I lose my job and I lose you anyway. God, this hurts inside.”

“Yeah. We’ll make do. Nothing is forever, Unca Rick. I just wish it was a little longer.”

“Your grandpa is trying to get you to him but—“

“I’m paying attention.” She smirked. “Gramps screwed up a lot a long time ago and some stupid ‘nice lady’ thinks he’s bad for me. He’s not a bad guy.”

“I’ll try to help. Maybe a lawyer.”

“That might help. He can’t afford one.”

“Do you want to go to California?”

Kpau stared at her coffee. “I’ve never been to California. But then maybe I wouldn’t have to keep changing families. College is in just a few years anyway. Don’t really care about high school.”

Rick looked at Kpau in some despair as they sat in the hospital café. Jamie was booked for several days of testing after a collapse while she and Kpau were bike riding.

“I’ll get that lawyer. We’ll get you to your Gramps.”

* * *

“I wish they’d let us go to the gate together.” Rick stared angrily at the new security checkpoints.

“It will be okay, Unca Rick. I can do it.”

Rick appraised the beautiful platinum blonde young woman. Fourteen and going on twenty.

“Little Bug? I’ve never seen you really smile. The whole time. You laugh and giggle. No smile.”

“I smile!”

“They’re fake. You wear them like a mask.”

Kpau winked at him with both eyes. “You’re good. That’s why I like you, Unca Rick. I’m going to miss you and Jamie. Just like everyone else. The way it goes. Eventually everyone vanishes.”

“We’ll keep in touch. If you want?”

“That’s okay. You take care of Jamie. I’ll find you if I need to talk. Internet after all.”

Rick pulled a folder out of his day pack. “I want you to have this.”

Kpau’s mouth dropped. “Your signed Bloom County book! The one I ripped! But! But--!”

She recomposed herself, wiping her face on his jacket. “I can never ever forget you, Unca Rick. Thank you. Apologize to Aunt Jamie for me. I was never really very nice to her no matter how hard she tried.” She inhaled sharply to clear her nose and stifled more tears.

“She understands. She wanted to come but the hospital wouldn’t let her out. Jamie thinks you’re very resourceful and resilient. She admires the way you cope with life. She hopes you finally feel safe enough to let people you trust into those shields of yours one day.”

“Time to go, B’bye, Unca Rick. Take care of Aunt Jamie.”

“Bye, Little Bug. Gonna miss you.”

* * *

Kpau sat in the living room of her band’s condo opening a box she had forgotten to unpack from when she and Tsika had been down to Los Angeles retrieving their deep storage items. The big moose Blar was off shopping with the little vampire princess. Kpau’s space alien buddy Glycerin was doing god-knows-what that smelled delicious in the kitchen.

She stared into dusty box. This was really old stuff. A bit of color caught her eye. In a plastic bag was a very old edition of a Bloom County collection, comic strips from an older decade. Her breath caught as she unsealed the zip lock. On the first page, under the author’s signature was another note. “For my Little Bug, Uncle Rick.”

Kpau’s cheeks were wet before she turned to the repaired page, ripped a decade before. She carefully replaced the book resealed the bag, then headed to her laptop. A few minutes of tracking and she had what she thought might be a good phone number.

“Hey, Glyc? I’m going up to the roof for a while. You going to be okay alone?”

A few minutes later, Kpau sat on the rooftop of the condo building, listening to a dial tone ring on her smartphone.

“Hello? Who is this?”

“It’s … it’s me, Unca Rick. Do you remember me?”

Silence.

“Unca Rick?”

“I can never ever forget you, Little Bug. How are you doing?”

“I’m fine! I graduated from high school! I got into USC, and majored in music, and I play drums, and I have some friends, and we formed a band, and then we moved to Portland, Oregon, and we found a great guy to jump start our band with, and we all live together, and I’m doing good!”

“Wow, that’s great! Will I—“

“How’s Aunt Jamie, Unca Rick?”

Silence.

“Ah, Little Bug. She finally … she died a few years ago. About the time you started college.”

Tears.

“Don’t cry, Little Bug. She really felt awful towards the end. It’s all good.”
“But I wanted! I wanted to tell her how I was doing! She … she vanished. Like the others!”

“We knew you were doing okay. Your grandfather kept us posted, though he stopped after we heard you been accepted into USC.”

“Gramps. He died my freshman year. I think he hung on just long enough to get me launched.”

Kpau took several ragged breaths to stabilize. “Okay. Stabilizing. Shields.”

“Still have shields, Little Bug?”

“Yup. But … they’re different. I have a family, Unca Rick. People I love. They’re inside my shields. I got a whole lot better recently. Our band is lots of fun.”

Kpau gazed to the east at Mt. Hood, a hundred miles away peeking out of a cloud bank.

“Can I come see you, Unca Rick? You’re back in Texas now I see.”

“I’m not living in the same town. Too many memories. But how about this? I’m headed that way in a couple of weeks. Up to Seattle for a project. Got time for me to stop on the way back?”

“Fuck, yeah! I want to see you! I want you to meet my family! They’re weird, but I think you could kind of guess they would be. You’ll like them though. They’re good. Like you are. Let me give you all the Internet stuff on us and you can study up before you get here! Watch our music videos!”
Kpau rattled off the domain names and addresses. She listened to Rick read them back.

“Okay, Little Bug. I’m at work so I’ll sign off now. So what triggered this?”

“I … I … I love you, Unca Rick.”

“Thank you, Kpau. I know that was hard. I love you, too.”

* * *

I have a little pile of short story synopses ... just stuff that doesn't fit in the main series. I may collect them and put them in as part of a future volume. For now, I'm using them as "free" writing examples, previews, backstories for fans, etc.

I've written three more short stories. Each covers a portion of the early days of Tsika and Glycerin.

The first one tells the story of when the two women first meet. It's really dark, far darker than one might think from the references to it made in the main series. It just made sense when I wrote it. I'll post it tomorrow. Violence and (implied) rape triggers.

The other story is much lighter, telling the tale of the two women getting their first tattoos.

The third story is a mix of humor, romance, and sadness. It covers Tsika's first romance. The "nice boy" she mentions to Blar in volume two.

I'm going to release these drafts of the collection of short stories one every few days.

This first tale tells of the time Tsika first met Glycerin and how they became friends. It was a dark period for the two women but as readers know - it got better.Trigger Warning: extreme violence, attempted rape (ambiguous), profanity.

Spoiler for "Even Longer" , A short story in the IRIRS Universe (a flashback):

“Hey, Freddie! The wee dolly is being uppity! Maybe she needs a spanking or a bit of fun!”

“Brilliant! We got a blooming tiny Russian commie doll to play house with!”

Tsika stood defiantly in the hallway, her path blocked by three older boys all more than a head taller. It was the young ward’s fifth day at the boarding school she had been transferred to. It was all so predictable. Just like previous schools, life immediately dived into hell. Bullies could not stop themselves, drawn to the little flame of bright bows and laces like moths. The twelve year old had already been in three fights since arriving. Like elsewhere, the administrators always blamed Tsika. She was the new girl, easier to blame her. It got worse at each school.

Freddie sneered back. “What a mouthy little bitch doll! But you’re a shaggable little lollipop. We will just give your strings a proper yank so you address me properly.”

The boy towered over the tiny Russian girl, then grabbed one of Tsika’s two long hair tails. He never got to pull it. In a blurred explosion, Tsika’s books became spinning projectiles, striking each of the other two boys in the face. Both fell back with plaintive cries. Her hand whipped up, gripping Freddie’s outstretched arm. Using it to hoist herself, Tsika jerked herself into the air, firing one of her petite muscular legs in an explosive kick that struck the ringleader’s nose. A stunned Freddie fell backwards leaving a blood trail in the air. Tsika landed daintily on her feet, watching his collapse with disdain.

“You fucking bitch! You killed him!” The boy on her left dropped to check on the downed thug. The boy on the right was less intelligent, taking a wild swing at Tsika. A slight shift in stance dodged the blow. She responded by driving her body weight into his solar plexus with a fencing lunge, the knuckles of her fist substituting for a saber. That one dropped to his knees, gasping for breath. Tsika glared at another lad closing in. Her expression alone stopped him cold.

“Stupid pig wants to try? I am already in trouble. Would not fucking bother me the slightest to break some important part like your worthless balls.”

Security guards appeared. Tsika tried to stay calm but she knew how it was going to go. The three boys and several nearby sycophants claimed she had assaulted them. Her history was already known to the staff. No attempt was made to listen to her version.

“Come with us, Tsarina.” Her pale cheeks bloomed in anger at the guard’s words.

“Do not fucking call me that name! You do not have permission! I am little girl being attacked by three large boys and you are arresting ME! Good job, fuckers! Xуёвый ёбаный су́кин сын!”

The guard’s face turned venomous. He grabbed at her arm. Tsika spun to avoid him, but the other guard was ready. He cut her down at the ankles from behind with a sweep of his boot and grabbed those dangerous legs quickly. The angry guard grabbed her arms. Tsika lost whatever tenuous hold on composure she had. She cursed the guards in both Russian and English, screaming blood curdling oaths.

The more even-tempered guard shouted over her howls at the two boys tending to Freddie, who was still down and groggy as his nose bled. “Get him to infirmary, you two. I know you three are not innocent in this. If you’re smart you’ll stay away from her. She puts people in the hospital. She’s a damn psychopath! Stay! Away!”

Tsika’s fury escalated at his description. Her voice spiked to a high pitch. “Fucking god damn worthless idiot pigs! It is never their fault, is it?! Never their fucking fault!” She began sobbing but her fury wouldn’t abate. The guards had trouble keeping her under control as she thrashed.

“Little girl! You are only bloody making it worse! They will drug you if you cannot control yourself! Do yourself a favor, Tsarinkov!”

The guards moved down the hall quickly with her stretched between them. They turned a corner and jogged up the main hall, holding the angry animated fireball between them. Most of her screaming epithets were in Russian, incomprehensible to the English-speaking guards. The thoughts in her mind were on a completely different tack.

Leave me alone! Want the fuckers to quit making fun of me! They taunt! Bully! Hurt! Little Russian girl never fuck fits in! Don’t they understand? So lonely. No one hugs me, makes it better. They all left and died. Fuck everyone! Want to kill … gut … make them pay for … holy Mother of Fuck, look at her!

Tsika stopped struggling, going limp as she stared. Slithering by them in the hall, cowering at the small girl’s boiling anger was a tall slender lass with long shaggy hair. She was statuesque, as tall as the guards. Her hair left her face barely visible but Tsika had caught a glimpse of it. Peeking out from the mat of hair was a terror-filled face but all Tsika absorbed was how beautiful her eyes were, the shape of her nose, her jaw, her lips. Every move of her body was filled with an alien grace that mesmerized the little Russian.

“Damn! Are you hurt, Tsarinkov? We’re not trying to hurt you!” The more even-tempered guard tightened his grip but he did look concerned about the now limp doll. She remembered the man from a fight earlier in the week. He had ended the altercation she was in without escalating and had talked her down from her rage.

Smarter than other guards. Not so much a pig, he uses my last name politely.
“Like you fucking really care?! No! Am just tired of wasting of energy. Fuck you all.” She hung her head back, regretting the words.

I am stupid bitch. Guard might be someone who would listen some time.

“H’okay! Am very sorry about words, Mr. Guard. Will not struggle further. May I walk between the two of you? Is not your fault fucking retards were nasty hurtful pigs to me.”

He nodded. “Yes. Let her down, Doug. I trust Tsarinkov on this. She’s been good for her word. Dangerous as hell, but if she makes a commitment she means it.”

The other guard was still angry. He stared balefully at Tsika for a moment but acquiesced. “Jolly fine! But if she nicks me I just may hit you instead.”

Damn it. Lost sight of the goddess! God damn, who is she? Is fascination! Must learn more!
***

“Well, Miss Tsarinkov. You did not break Frederick’s nose. That is a very lucky thing for you. There are some mitigating circumstances. A pair of witnesses said they assaulted you first so we shall let it slide this time but you are on probation.”

“Am always on probation. Strangely just seems to happen that way.”

“I have read your files, talked to our doctor. He says you are taking your medication.” The pompous man straightened a folder on his desk. “Miss Tsarinkov, you have very dangerous anger and rage problems. Not unusual for an orphan but psychiatrically extreme in your case. Nonetheless, we have a school to run! You have an education to obtain. If you must burn energy to control your temper, we have sporting activities available. The notes say you are quite the athlete in gymnastics, fencing, and aikido. I strongly suggest you see our instructors for those endeavors and introduce yourself.”

“Sure. H’okay. Will fu- … will make use of such diversions. Is good to be active.” Tsika glared at the wall just behind the administrator, then let her breath out slowly. “Just make sure that pack of god da- … just make sure your local clowns are not so stupid they get in my way.”

“Little woman, you shall have to adapt. Those you encountered today have very influential parents. Learning prudence will serve you well.” Her dark eyebrow arched at the administrator’s advice. She absorbed them in a meaning entirely different than his intent.

Is good idea! Cold calculation, plotting, and revenge when unexpected. Quite satisfying! Might be better than wild rage. This man has some good advice for a change! Is still cowardly weasel moron though. Make me god damn ill just to be in room with such a puke.
***

Tsika made her way to the school’s infirmary to take her daily dosage of pills. She palmed them as usual, the psychiatrist was none the wiser. The pills were stealthily fed to one of the office plants that decorated his office. She decided he might be a good first target to query about the strange girl.

“Hey, Doctor guy. There is interesting girl I have seen in hall. She is very tall, very meek. Quite beautiful in her movement, shaggy hair. You have any knowings of who she is?”

“Tall? Meek? Pretty? Must be Glycca. Glycca Wendham. Poor thing.” He flinched. “Oh, good gob, PLEASE don’t bother her. She is extremely fragile emotionally and easily terrified. She doesn’t say much to anyone but academically she manages to be one of our top students. Sad creature lost her entire family in a tsunami disaster. That and bad treatment afterward really traumatized her. Why in heaven do you want to know?”

Tsika blanched at the tragedy in that information dump. She decided to be honest. “Oh, my goodness! Is such sadness! I know what it feels like to lose … everyone. Seemed like we had instant connection just by looking at each other, but she ran away.”

The doctor looked regretful. “Tsarinkov, if you weren’t having such a rough time controlling your rage and anger, I would encourage you two to talk. It would be healthy for both of you. But really, Glycca is always one panic attack away from hysteria, sedation, and heavy restraints. Please don’t bother her.”

Tsika could see her poker face was lousy based on his expression. “Bloody hell, Tsarinkov. Right. I can see you plan to ignore me. Please be VERY careful. It makes my stomach churn to see her cry. Something about her just compels me to try and keep her safe … oh never mind, that was too much information. Just tread as lightly as you can, please?”

“Absolutely! Like on broken glass I will walk! Thank you, Doctor! See? I can be polite!”

Afterward, Tsika leaned against the hallway wall outside the office to cool her head.

Fucking bastard. Ah, I am harsh. He is much better than bullshit witchdoctor at last school. Now! Glycca intrigues me. Must find out more.

She put a hard clamp on her inclinations to lash out while she collected information on Glycca. When Freddie and his braying minions passed the diminutive pixie in the hall, Tsika simply ignored them. This seemed to piss off the gang more than if she responded to their taunts so she enjoyed that. But they kept their distance. They were not utter dullards about self-preservation.
Once she discovered which classes Glycca was enrolled in, Tsika went to the academic counselor, buttering her up for class changes. Some of the classes were much higher in difficulty, this made it easy for the young Russian to argue that she wanted to push herself harder in studies. The adults all agreed that this new interest in academics was a positive step for the explosive young woman.

Idiots and circus clowns. All of them.
***

“Class? This is Miss Tsarinkov. She likes to go by the name Tsika. Please make her welcome.”

The teacher nervously gestured for Tsika to take her seat in the advanced mathematics class. It was clear the man knew a potential bomb was now in his class. Tsika smiled thinly as she sat, scanning the rather large group of classmates.

Ah, there is Glycca. Front row at corner. Damn, she won’t make eye contact. Keeps covering her face with all that unkempt hair. My gods, is gorgeous creature! Has aura of alien wildness. If she were guy, I would be swooning!

The class went quietly. Tsika watched as Glycca was called to the whiteboard to solve a math problem. The lanky student did not take a direct path to the board. She twitched along a route that reminded Tsika of a mouse, wary of open spaces, even avoiding slight variations of increased lighting. The tall girl spoke not a single word as she wrote the solution out. It was a fairly impressive proof. Tsika could barely follow it.

The teacher was clearly impressed. He spoke very softly and gently to her. “That’s fantastic, Glycca. How did you decide to use that method for your proof?”

Glycca physically flinched at his soft words, as if he had horrifically beaten her. Tsika was appalled. Glycca’s fear spilled out of her, filling the air in the classroom. The towering enigma hyperventilated as she tried to answer the question.

“It it it it it was bollixy when we … when … the-the other w-way, Mister Sssssswanson.” His name was drawn out, the soft hiss of a snake. She ran back to her seat and hid her face with her hands and hair. There were a few mean giggles and some unkind remarks from the back of the room until the teacher’s glare silenced them.

Oh. My. Fucking. Hell. Huge mouse is basket case, unable to function socially! Like me! But in totally different way! Such sad fear am sensing! I know too well where the sad comes from. Feel it in my own bones, but is astonishing to see such different reaction. So want to talk to her!

Tsika’s desire proved remarkably difficult to satisfy. Glycca would leap out the door at the bell and lope quickly to her next class, weaving and slithering as she avoided other students.

As the days went by and more observations were made, Tsika learned that not everyone left her alone. That gang of bullies with powerful parents, they seemed to thrive on terrorizing everyone but they especially enjoyed hunting Glycca. They would bump her passing in the hall, leaving her whimpering from an inappropriate touch. Other times they would knock her daypack off her shoulder and then torment her as she collected her things. They verbally abused her without caution, saying nasty lecherous things to her.

Glycca wasn’t totally helpless. She seemed magical in her abilities to slip by them unseen. She almost oozed through walls at times, escaping their attempts to corner her for their idea of more serious fun.

Tsika covertly listened in some astonishment. The bullies talked openly about “having a shagging bit of tasty fun with the retarded tart”, ogling her breasts, long legs, and hips. She was well developed for her age, easily mistaken for a young woman of fourteen or even sixteen. Usually Tsika envied such beauty but here it was a liability with these toxic lads. No one will ever believe her even if they understood her, they said. Tsika was alarmed by the ease and openness with which they went on about what they wanted to do to her. No one seemed to call them on it. This school was looking to be a terrible place for anyone who was not in a clique, alone with no herd to belong to. Glycca was lonely prey for them.

Must channel my rage. Wait and watch. Likely just jackass talk by toxic bags of wasted meat with balls, but cannot easily dismiss such evil. Is quandary though. Glycca’s skill in avoiding them also works on me. Is like trying to catch a fast mouse by myself!
***

Tsika got her first opportunity in a chance encounter. Making her way from her lonely room in the girls-only part of the dorm, she rounded a corner and was nearly trampled by a panicked Glycca. As she fell, Tsika could hear taunts in the distance from the gang of thugs. They were calling her names and leering at her from the edge of the No Boys zone line.

“Crazy Amazon whore!”
“Aye, a towering trollop that needs taming!”
“Come back! You’ll be our special bag of candy! Fill you up properly!”
“Give it up, Glycerin! Sweet and slick on the inside, we wager!”

The last taunt caught Tsika’s ear: “Glycerin”. It stood out, almost sounded poetic rather than raunchy. Tsika got back up as Glycca stood frozen in place, processing what she had done to the petite twin tail. The gang drifted away to terrorize someone else out of earshot.

“You got away, Glycca! You are very good at that! Such skills! Uh, yes. My name is Tsika.”

No answer. Glycca stood mute. Not even breathing. Rigid.

“Are you okay, Glycca? Did mangy fucking pigs hurt you?!”

The tall girl blinked and looked down at the little Russian. Tsika was transfixed by her eyes. They were so deeply blue they could be mistaken for lavender. Her pupils did the oddest things, dilating and shrinking in an unsynchronized way.

“N-n-n-n-n-no. They did-did-did not touch me. Oh! Did not mean to step on! To hurt little doll! Please! Please don’t hit me! Didn’t mean to?!” She made a small squeak of despair.

Tsika was crushed. It must have shown on her face. Each of Glycca’s pupils dilated to a different width and settled, giving her an oddball cartoon look.

“Oh! We sees. Gets it, we do. We sees the little doll isn’t g-g-going to hurt me right now. Bloody sorry! It’s just … you follow me. Sneaks at us. I sees you. We are scared. You are s-s-s-s-scary.”

Tsika took a deep slow breath. Soft voice. “I do not want to scare you. I just want to talk. No one talks to me. I thought you might. It is strange the name the nasty pigs call you -- Glycerin.”

Glycca nodded. “We hates all the th-things they call us we do. They t-t-talks nasty about our body. They wants to hurt us, use us in bad ways. Like s-s-some men … before. Back then.”

Tsika was having trouble following Glycca’s meaning but those few words sounded dreadfully alarming. She decided to keep the chat focused on the present. “I think Glycerin is a fabulous nickname! My real name is Tsarina. My nickname, Tsika, was conjured up by some stupid god damned administrator who could not read! Students laughed for days at me. You should own yours like I did! Make it belong to you! Glycerin, a sweet, slippery beautiful goddess!”

Glycca’s face burst into rosy colors. But her eyebrows wiggled, her mouth awkwardly formed a rather disturbing twisted smile. It was pretty clear sanity might not be her close neighbor.

“Like-like-like a secret hero name? Smashing thought. We sh-sh-shall think about it.” She stared into space for a moment, her pupils shifting. “Still. You-you want to talk. To us. Why does the little doll w-w-want to talk to us?”

“I … I was told Glycca is an orphan, too. I am orphan also. I have no one. No one at all. I am alone. Just me.” Tsika crushed a tear in her eye.

“You are alone. Yes. Sad. Gloomy sad doll. But … you th-think … you think we m-matters to talk to?” That seemed to make Glycca jittery. “See? She thinks we matters. Listen to what she says! Stop grieving, my little …!” Glycerin twitched and silenced herself.

Glycca half turned back the way she had been headed. “We has to go. Class.” She began to lope away, then stopped for a moment, staring at nothing. Her eyes lit up.

“Oh! Manners! We should say nice things! Cheerio, little doll Tsika. It might-might ….” Her gangly strides began anew, taking her down the hall as Tsika watched. Now Glycca appeared to be mumbling to herself out loud, her long slender hands gesturing. Fascinating.

H’okay! That did not go terrible! But she is so strange. No. Must turn off judging. After all, am psycho bitch doll myself! Judged all the time. Maybe this will go well.
***

The following day did not go well. Tsika was cornered into another fight when Glycca was in the area. The shy creature fled during the violence. Later, Tsika went to her room but Glycerin would not unlock the door. Tsika pleaded with the terrified bizarre young woman.

“Glycca! Please?! I just want to talk. I need … I really need someone to talk with! You need someone to talk with! I will not hurt you. Please?!”

The door remained locked. “We worries! We … we worries you won’t hurt us enough. Finish it … for us. That it will just hurt and not finish.”

Not only was that cryptic to Tsika but Glycca would not speak further. Tsika fled in tears.

Her anger and sense of abandonment rose. Tsika began having trouble in her new classes. She stopped caring. She was taken out of one class and put down a level. The new teacher got a kick out of making Tsika look stupid to the rest of the class. She began skipping it. Tsika could feel herself spiraling into doom, like in every other school but much worse this time. She overheard the administrator and the doctor discussing reformatory schools, little more than prisons. The doctor was fighting it, saying he would adjust her medication. Her depression swirled into rage.
***

Is too fucking nice a day to be inside anyway. Fuck stupid class and clown shithead teacher.

Tsika sat on a swing out in the athletics field, moping. She was truant from the hated class. She considered the idea of just leaving the campus, climbing the brick wall and vanishing. She plotted the route as she idly swung. The best path passed near some utility sheds at the edge of campus. She was eyeing those when she noticed a commotion developing near them. She squinted for a better look at the small group of students.

Glycca. The tragic thing was weaving and dodging but Freddie’s gang of bullies had successfully circled her and were closing in around her. Suddenly Glycca stopped. Tsika could make out her words, carried on the wind as the bastard jackass Freddie leisurely approached the shaking young woman.

“Will you bloody k-k-kill me when done? That’s all we asks. We are worthless. Finish it?”

“Why would we do that, you crazy retarded tart? We can shag you over and over! No one will ever believe you. Right, chums?”

Glycca dropped her books with a helpless squeak and tried to run. Freddie snagged her. Tsika could hear the strange girl’s blouse rip from across the field. He jerked her about, dragging her behind the shed. Then Freddie slapped her face, sending Glycca flat on her back. Tsika lost sight of events as the gang pulled her behind the shed. She hopped up off the swing. This was it. A chance to break for freedom. No one was looking. The disturbance would cover it. She could leave. Disappear.

Who gives a fuck? She wasn’t going to be my friend anyway. She’s crazy. My chance to go!

Tsika began trotting along her escape route. Then she heard a sound. A soft whimpering cry. Inarticulate but full of despair. It skewered her mind. Pierced her thoughts with a spear of commanding imperative to protect, to keep safe, ripping her little black heart to shreds. She shuddered as her mind ignited in fury and unholy vengeance.

No! No more! This is fucking righteous thing! Is purpose! God damn I cannot bear to hear her hurting! This time! This time I follow through! Nothing held back! No reason left to hold back!

The small girl barely registered that she was hurtling across the field towards the sheds like a hummingbird. She realized she had added a cricket bat to her hands. It felt good, weighty.

As Tsika closed in, she heard Glycca more clearly sobbing and whimpering. Freddie was laying on her with his pants down, the other boys holding her pinned. Tsika’s mind fell into darkness, deep in cold flames of psychopathic fury.

The pixie of darkness swung while still sprinting at full speed. The heavy bat caught the closest boy to her on the back of the skull. He made an odd sound and crumpled to the ground. The second boy took her backswing in the face. He screamed as she twirled, breaking his knee with a side stroke precisely aimed at its weakest point. He went down, pathetic noises bubbling through the blood.
The other boys were shouting now. They let go of Glycca and got up to take on the whirling devil. Freddie, who was still ripping Glycerin’s clothes as he thrust his hips, was just beginning to register that things weren’t going well above him.

She fired her leg at the next boy in her path, the ball of her foot driving straight into his groin. She used both hands to ram the end of the bat into his nose, following up with a full body spin. The blood-drenched bat destroyed his ear with a spray of body fluids. The fourth boy got a hand on one of her hair tails, bad for him because it exposed ribs she smashed with the bat. Tsika calmly broke his elbow with the upswing, another pirouette and a sharp blow to the face. A cloud of red mist burst out of his head. The fifth boy was shrieking in fear now. He tried to run but Tsika slung the bat at him like a spear, striking him on the back of the head. He dropped to the ground in contorted twitching, frothing at the mouth. By this point, Freddie was standing, frantically trying to zip his pants, swearing and cursing at Tsika.

“You. You I kill with my bare hands, pointless waste of meat!” Tsika dropped into her most effective stance as the thug charged, drawing a knife. Some vague notion that his attack might not be the best plan came to Freddie. He put brakes on his lunge, but too late. She drove the edge of her foot into the inside of his knee. Listening to the lovely sound it made as it snapped, she then stabbed his throat and solar plexus with her fingers. He dropped to his knees choking. His knife she kicked away from him. Tsika leisurely retrieved her bat. She slammed it down on the head of the boy convulsing on the ground before returning.

“I will take my time. You deserve lots of time. Cry for your mommy, shithead.”
Her first blow demolished his cheekbone, the second sent teeth flying and left his jaw askew, and her third blow broke an arm. The pig made the most satisfying wheezing screams as she worked. Blow after blow, each delivered to vulnerable pain points. Some of the other boys began moving, trying to get up. Tsika danced quickly, leaping from boy to boy, beating them with the bat. The sounds were wonderful. She was ecstatic, the release of pure anger felt good. Bones snapping, bursting skin, all the horrible sounds from their mouths. She returned to Freddie after her dance, her eyes glowing.

She aimed a precise strike at his throat to crush his larynx. His eyes widened.
“N-n-n-n-no! My doll! No! You are d-d-done. That’s enough, love! They are broken.”
Tsika was enveloped in gentle arms, her face crushed against soft uncovered breasts. For an instant her insanity peaked, but the gentle fingers kneading the back of her head and neck drained it out of her. Tsika dropped her bat and began to sob violently.

“I will kill them for you, Glycca! They do not deserve to live! I will go to jail! My life over! You will be safe! Safe from pigs!”

Glycca squeezed her tightly. “My doll? My doll really does thinks I m-matter? That we matters? We doesn’t understand! Why?!” The tall girl looked up to the distance. “They’re coming.”

“Let me cover you, Glycca. I will not run. No more.” She gave Glycca her school jacket to cover the slender girl’s ripped blouse and skirt.

As Tsika guessed, the guards did not even stop to ask questions. With horrified gasps, they threw her to the ground and handcuffed her. She did not resist. She lay limp.

The young would-be assassin heard Glycerin shrieking at the guards, but the tall lassie was hustled off. Everything became a droning sound. Tsika stopped focusing. She no longer cared.
***

Tsika sat dully in the chair, still handcuffed to it.

“Are you going to say nothing?! You are going to jail! If one of them dies, you may get worse!”

“Fuck you. You do not care what happened. You have your sacrifice, dumbass.” She glared at him, imagining being free of the handcuffs.

Just a few seconds would do it. There is a letter opener. Right in the throat. Very satisfying.

Her glare had the administrator sweating. Before another word was spoken, the door flew open. The doctor stomped into the room followed by Glycca. The tall girl was still in her shredded school uniform but now wore the doctor’s coat. He lunged a finger at the administrator.

“You! You have a problem, sir. You are finally between a rock and hard spot on this one!”

The doctor talked over Glycca’s continuing stream of shrieking words. “She’s been like that since she came in. Most coherent speech since I’ve known her. So fired up I had the nurse do a rape kit test on her. Guess what? Came back positive. You can’t wiggle those little shits out of this one. They left evidence. I have them caught.”

Tsika was speechless. Not at the news, but from watching Glycca. Her alien eyes were on fire. She was angry. Not terrified, but beautifully angry. Angry and defending Tsika. The administrator was huffing back though.

“That is impossible! These are royals! They would never … Glycca is only a mad little hatter! Why would you believe anything she says?!”

Glycca wilted at that assertion. The doctor, however, laughed. Tsika got a glimmer this had been a battle long before her arrival. “You aren’t listening, you ignorant twit! I did a RAPE kit test. POSITIVE! All I have to do now is run a DNA test. That will take a while, of course. New technology and all. I shall pay for it myself if the school won’t. You’re done protecting them.”

Tsika slowly processed the reality the doctor was on her side in this matter.
The administrator was now shrieking like a pathetic little girl. “Put Tsarina in detention! Confined quarters! Someone get some proper clothes on that batty girl! We shall discuss this when we have all the facts!”
***

Tsika sat in the isolation quarters, swinging her legs. The bench chair was too tall, her feet didn’t touch the floor. She had been there nearly two days. Nothing to read or do. No one came to visit, only the guard with food. At least it was the nicer guard who said her name properly, but he said he was not allowed to tell her anything. The hope the little Russian girl had of victory was fading.

Somehow the administrator would silence the doctor. No one would believe Glycca, likely putting her in asylum or under sedation. Tsika herself was doomed to jail or worse. At least she had put the gang out of commission.

The latch turned, the door squeaking as it slowly opened. One of Glycca’s alien eyes peeked around it. She slowly came in. No one was with her. She closed the door. Tsika watched raptly as the slender creature stood, visibly shaking. She seemed to be trying to come to some decision, muttering inaudibly to herself. She blinked, walked over and sat next to Tsika, close enough to brush against the small pixie. Tsika could feel the strange girl vibrating from terror. The young Russian sat completely still, afraid to move and spook her.

“Are you okay, Glycca? Oh, Glycca! I am sorry! I am so sorry! I did not move fast enough! Get there soon enough! I wanted to save you before … before …!”

“It’s all cr-crumpets, little doll. Just … just what happens, what happens … has happened. You distracted him at the last … you’re … we don’t think. Don’t remember. We remember th-this! Bloody knickers! You are a b-b-beautiful elegant bomb! S-s-so amazing! Wishes we could be like that. So small and beautiful in-in-in your violence!”

Tsika blushed, then blanched quietly at a realization. “Do you take birth control pills, Glycca?”

“I … I think so? They makes us take a lot of pills. We hates them. Never w-w-works like they say. Usually makes us worse. Awful worse. Not sure we are.”

“Oh! We has things to s-s-say! We thinks the little doll will be s-s-s-splendid soon. We’re listening we does. New people are-are here today. Things are ch-changing. Come with me!”
***

“Tsarinkov? Glycca? I am unofficially telling you we have won this little war but here’s the catch. You are both being transferred. But … together. We are wiping Miss Tsarinkov’s behavior record clean. Fresh start to screw up, little girl? But the loss? The loss is that will be no charges filed. Compromises. However, the little slugs are going to be in the hospital for a long time.”

The doctor softened his voice. “Glycca? That was really brave calling your estate’s lawyers on your own. All that parental aristocracy folded like cards at the firm’s name. Too big to brush off. Embarrassing and all that.”

The two girls sat facing the doctor as he spoke to them in his office. He was now in temporary charge of the school. The administrator had been placed on leave pending higher review. Official looking people roamed the building. Things really were changing.

Glycca did an amazing thing. She made a noise that sounded a lot to Tsika like a giggle.

“Tooks us a m-m-min … a while before we gots the right p-person. We knows we are-are bloody mad as a b-b-bag of ferrets but we pays attention to needful things. We watches and remembers. Remembered the tellie numbers we did and the n-names.”

Glycca made a squeak noise and fluttered her hands to stop him. “Nothing … nothing worse than so m-m-many times before … at the-the air base. We bl-blanks out. No memory. She helps. Our Other … Ah! We blanks out! That’s all!”

Tsika wrinkled her eyebrows. Glycca looked alarmed, afraid as if she were about to say or reveal something bad. Time to jump into the conversation, give her cover for whatever it is.

“You are safe now, Glycca. I will keep you safe. Will protect you!”

The doctor grimaced. “I think I am glad you two are friends now, but I shall point out … you cannot protect Glycca if you are in prison. Keep that in mind for the future. I have placed instructions in the files that you two are to be kept together for psychological reasons. I think your estate firm sounded quite happy at that. Cheaper for them. Sound good, Tsika?”

“I am liking you now, doctor! You call me by name I ask to be called! Is good advice you give. Thank you for what you have done. So! Where are we to be sent? Cannot wait to leave here.”

“There is a facility near Llandrindod in Wales that specializes in psychiatric care students. Well, maybe it is more accurate to say they are better at it than most. I will not say it shan’t remain rough, especially for Glycca. Dear thing has contrary reactions to so many medications. Even a good doctor is going to be baffled trying to treat her. Oh, yes. By the way, Tsika? I cleared my medical records on you as well. They were worthless. You killed one of my office plants with all the pills you stuffed in it.”

Tsika laughed. A good throaty laugh. It felt good, so long with no laughing.
“I am caught! H’okay, Doctor. I admit being broken demonic doll but will try my hardest to find things to mend me. Is good?”

“Yes, Is good, little lovely Russian doll. You talk like that on purpose, don’t you? Your essays and composition are perfect English.”

“I like my parent’s language. Is fun! But … truthfully, is way of honoring the things they and my Mamochka taught my bitch self. Does not mean I am not furious at them for dying! So hard to forgive. Just informing you.”
***

Tsika led Glycca out into the hallway. The towering creature followed meekly but then pulled back to stop the smaller girl. They stood away from the traffic of other students.

“Tsika?” That endearing voice was soothing. It drained festering fury from the poisoned elf.

“Yes, my big mouse?”

“You … y-y-you. The man says we are g-going together. You are … my friend?”

“I am your friend! One who matters to me! Am … am I your friend?”

Glycerin nodded, her pupils doing their strange dance. “Like … like … like Pooh and Piglet. The stories. Do y-you know them?”

“Not well. I do know of them. There is something they say to each other a lot, but—“

Glycerin took Tsika’s hands in both of hers, her soft voice breaking.
“We will be Friends Forever, w-w-won’t we, Tsika? Friends forever?”

Glycca awkwardly bent down to hug Tsika, stroking the nape of her neck. “My precious warrior doll she is. Makes us less gloomy. Not s-s-sure what to do with ourselves we are. Don’t re-remember having any friends.”

“Come on, my Mouse. I know first thing we do. We will help each other pack!”

“Yes! Splendid, my lovely d-doll. Lead on.” Glycca’s face tried a number of different positions before it settled on that vaguely demented surreal expression she used sometimes. Other students in the hall gave her extra space when they spotted it. But Tsika realized now that was Glycca’s smile and smiled back as they walked.

Has turned out be good day! I have a friend. A real friend! Not so lonely now. I must protect her. Keep her safe! Guard my new sweet treasure. Maybe … maybe not all darkness now.
***

Hi, I'm may just post the stories on my blog and link them from here. Reduces my work load in posting and gives me better format control. We'll see how that goes.

I have a total of four short stories now, one about Kpau, and 3 about Tsika and Glycerin. I am also well into the detail editing of Volume 4 chapter 1 and 2..

Have a Christmas tune from the Rocket Science band, covering Shine by Collective Soul. This video also provides a detailed preview of how the band starts appearing in Volume 4. Yes, Tsika's twin tails are missing - events in the story. Glycerin's hair is androgynous though she keeps her half-curtain for security blanket. Kpau adds a few tattoos.

1) "Duck! Rabbit! Duck! - A Love Story"
2) "Even Longer" (how Tee and Gee first meet)
3) "Spiders and Snakes" (how Tee and Gee get their first tattoos)
4) "Spider's Gift" (the tale of Tsika's first romance, still in high school)

The stories should be read in the order in which the page displays them.

I am in very rough draft stage on the first 4 or 5 chapters of Volume 4. I've let the ebook version project of volume 3 drag out too long and need to finish and publish that pronto.

All in all, I'm not doing too badly -- I have over 2600 followers on Facebook and stopped worrying about Twitter or Google+ follower counts. I'm selling in spurts. If you've read the stories (free or purchased) and like them, tell your book-reading friends. I think the story should appeal to anyone who likes rom-coms in anime as it has a seinen/shoujo flair to it.

I'll be truthful - the "harem" set up is a trap. At its heart, the tale is about two life companions - Tsika and Glycerin. Starting from Blar's point-of-view was the best way to introduce them. Originally, I was going to tell the entire tale from Tsika's point-of-view but quickly found that far too limiting.

Over on the FB page that the band "It Really IS Rocket Science" runs, the band members post on a daily basis. Here's a recent post by Glycerin:

https://www.facebook.com/itreallyisr...30490747230268
Glycerin lightly types late at night.
Our cake only looks like this if our meds are way bloody off.
Just joking, we don't hallucinate we just gets manic or depressed. Did I do the joke well? We have such trouble making funnies. Kpau and Blar always have me in the giggles, we try to serve some back but we thinks they chuckle more at our bad delivery than the joke. &^(